The information contained herein is for informational or educational purposes only.

Phishing, Vishing and Smishing: How to Recognize and Avoid Communication Fraud 

As part of International Fraud Awareness Week, Bask Bank® is committed to helping you stay informed and protected. One of the most common threats to your financial safety is communication fraud — a broad term that includes phishing, vishing and smishing. These scams are designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information like passwords, account numbers or Social Security numbers.

Here, we’ll break down what each type of scam looks like, how to spot the red flags and what you can do to protect yourself and your finances.

What Is Communication Fraud?

Communication fraud refers to deceptive tactics used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into sharing personal or financial information. These scams often appear legitimate and can come through email, phone calls or text messages. 

Common Traits of Communication Fraud:

• Urgent or threatening language
• Requests for personal or banking information
• Spoofed phone numbers or email addresses
• Links to fake websites that mimic real ones

Phishing, Vishing and Smishing: Know the Difference

Understanding the different types of communication fraud can help you stay one step ahead of scammers.

Phishing

Phishing is a scam that uses fake emails or websites to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

Red Flags:

• Emails from unknown senders with urgent requests
• Misspelled URLs or suspicious links
• Attachments you weren’t expecting

Vishing

Vishing (voice phishing) involves fraudulent phone calls pretending to be from banks, government agencies or tech support.

Common Tactics:

• Caller claims your account is compromised
• Requests for verification of personal details
• Spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate

Smishing

Smishing is phishing via SMS or text messages. These messages often contain malicious links or ask for immediate action.

Watch for:

• Texts claiming you’ve won a prize or need to verify a transaction
• Shortened URLs that hide the destination
• Messages that create a sense of urgency

Real-World Examples of Communication Fraud

• Phishing: A customer receives an email that looks like it’s from Bask Bank, asking them to “verify their account” by clicking a link. The link leads to a fake login page.
• Vishing: A scammer calls pretending to be from a fraud department, claiming suspicious activity on your account and asking for your PIN.
• Smishing: You get a text saying your debit card has been locked, with a link to “unlock” it — leading to a fake site. 

How to Protect Yourself from Communication Fraud

Best Practices:

• Never share personal or banking information via email, phone or text
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication
• Verify suspicious messages by contacting the company directly
• Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a phishing, vishing or smishing scam:

1. Do not respond to the message or call
2. Do not click on any links or download attachments
3. Report the incident to Bask Bank and the Federal Trade Commission
4. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity
5. Change your passwords immediately

Bask Bank’s Commitment to Your Financial Security

At Bask, your security and peace of mind are our top priority. We use advanced encryption, fraud monitoring and secure login protocols to help protect your information. We also provide educational resources to help you stay informed and vigilant.

Explore more of our security resources: 

• Bask Security Center
• Bask E-Fraud Security Portal
• Common Scams to Watch For
• How Password Managers Strengthen Financial Account Security
• 5 Ways to Keep Your Bank Account Safe
• What Is Identity Theft?

Stay Informed. Stay Protected.

Communication fraud is constantly evolving — but so are the tools and knowledge to fight it. By staying informed and cautious, you can help protect your financial future.

Explore more tips and tools at the Bask Security Center.